Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 137871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 689(@200wpm)___ 551(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 689(@200wpm)___ 551(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Adriel rested her head on the pillow, trying to take it all in. There was so much to absorb. Life here would be very different from The Order, but knowing how Juniper suffered, she would never ask her to return to the farm.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she confessed, “I’ve never dreamed of such independence. To think, I can do anything I want, be whatever kind of female I wish to be.”
“Imagine that.” She raised a brow, her eyes teasing. “No bonnets or bossy men deciding what’s best for you. Every choice from here on out is yours.”
A sense of power rushed through her. “I choose you. You’re my future, June.”
She kissed her and whispered, “And I choose you. We’re going to build a life together, Ade, you and me.”
“And my family.”
“And your family.”
A cool breeze swept through the windows, carrying the scent of herbs and jasmine with it. Clothing had been set out for them.
“Your mother,” Juniper explained, following her gaze. “She insisted on taking care of everything.”
“No one’s taken care of my needs in centuries.”
“Well, that’s going to change now.” She pulled her fingers to her lips and kissed her knuckles. “What do you say we get dressed and I reintroduce you to your parents?”
“I’d say I must be dreaming.”
“You’re not. Come on.” She flung back the covers and tossed her a sweater. “You can put this over your nightgown.”
Adriel donned the cardigan and fussed with her hair. It had grown a great deal since leaving the farm, and she no longer knew what to do with it, but she no longer felt the rebellious need to cut it.
“Soon, you’ll be able to pull it into a ponytail—if you wanted.”
She considered her reflection. It had been a long time since she wore her hair long, and back then, she’d only styled it with braids, bonnets, and pins.
“A ponytail might be nice.” Turning to face Juniper, she glanced down at her bare feet. “Do I look all right?”
“You look beautiful.” She took her hand. “Let’s go meet your parents.”
Juniper seemed to know her way around the old home as they walked the silent halls. Terracotta pots clustered in corners, and hand-woven baskets hung on the stone walls. Shadows pooled on the tile floor where natural light spilled in. The house was strangely quiet.
“No one is here.”
“They’re probably out back.”
Curtains blew in the wind, and laughter carried on the breeze. “Go fish,” a female voice called.
Drifting past the flowing linens, Juniper pulled the curtains aside, and Adriel stilled. Her father noticed them first. Then her mother turned, a smile frozen on her face.
Nostalgia washed through Adriel as she took in her mother’s familiar, timeless beauty. Those painful memories she’d tucked away spilled into the forefront of her mind.
Dane stood, holding a handful of playing cards. “You’re awake. How do you feel?”
Adriel couldn’t move. She felt safe and cherished. Loved and accepted. It was so much to process when, only days ago, she believed she’d never have reason to smile again.
She laughed, the sound coming out like a stunned sob.
Her mother slowly stood, and her father followed. Her voice was soft and her eyes watchful. “We’re so glad to see you, Adriel.” Lilias crossed the yard with cautious steps. “I can’t begin to express how much I’ve missed you. How I feared…”
Her father took her mother’s hand when emotion got the better of her. “Welcome home, filha.”
Filha. Adriel remembered that word. She was Filha. Daughter.
They did not spoke a mixture of heavily accented English with various Portuguese words sprinkled throughout. She hadn’t spoken the language in centuries, but it was there, in the deepest part of her memories.
She held out her hands to them. “Eu também senti sua falta, Mamãe e Papai.”
They rushed forward and gathered her into their arms. Laughing and crying, they pressed kisses to her hair and face.
“I’m so sorry for all the pain I’ve caused—”
“No, we’re the ones who must apologize. We never would have accepted your calling if we knew Cerberus was behind it. We assumed, once mated, you wanted your own life, so we tried to respect that.”
“I never would have intentionally left you without a goodbye!”
“Those troubles are behind us now,” her father said, grasping her shoulders affectionately. “Let us not waste another moment on the past. From here, we only look forward.”
“Agreed,” Dane said, closing this distance.
Adriel rushed to hug him. “I was so afraid when I saw you get hurt.”
“I’m fine. Solid as a rock.” He pounded a fist on his chest.
Her father clapped Dane on the shoulder. “Your friend here has been teaching us American card games, but I think he cheats.”
“Yeah right.” Dane cupped a hand at the side of his mouth and mumbled, “Your dad sucks.”
They were so comfortable with each other, so accepting. Juniper’s hand slipped into hers and squeezed. Their eyes met and she could so easily picture them living a happy life here.